Raith Rovers' horrendous start to the season continued as the Kirkcaldy side slumped to their sixth defeat in seven competitive games, going down 2-1 on this occasion to a well-drilled Ross County side at sun-drenched Stark's Park.
The defeat puts further pressure on director of football Claude Anelka who, despite having recruited a large number of new players, has still to experience victory in his first managerial appointment.
For Ross County the victory, only their second of the current season, has helped ease them away from the First Division danger zone and provided some welcome breathing space as they endeavour to improve their league position.
Raith began the game in promising fashion, their best effort occurring when Hamed Sacko chased a through ball from Joe McAlpine before rounding County goalkeeper Stuart Garden only to see his final shot cleared off the line by backtracking defender Stuart Malcolm.
The visitors opened the scoring, however, in the 36th minute, Jim Lauchlan rising above the Rovers defence to glance home a header from a Charlie Adam corner.
Worse was to follow for the Fife side in the early stages of the second half when the Highlanders increased their lead in the 48th minute.
Adam curled a free-kick low into the net after Alex Burke had been fouled on the edge of the box by Jonathan Smart.
Raith managed to pull a goal back after 58 minutes when substitute Herve Ebanda dispossessed Lauchlan before driving forward unchallenged and sending his low shot beyond Garden.
Rovers finished strongly and came close to equalising on a number of occasions but Alex Smith's men held on for a valuable three points.